Plant miR167e-5p promotes 3T3-L1 adipocyte adipogenesis by targeting β-catenin

• Published in: In vitro cellular & developmental biology. Animal Vol. 58; no. 6; pp. 471 - 479
• Main Authors: Chen, Ting, Ma, Fei, Peng, Yongjia, Sun, Ruiping, Xi, Qianyun, Sun, Jiajie, Zhang, Jin, Zhang, Yongliang, Li, Meng
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: New York Springer US 01.06.2022; Society for In Vitro Biology
• Subjects: 3T3-L1 Cells; Accumulation; Adipocytes; Adipogenesis; Adipogenesis - genetics; Animal Genetics and Genomics; Animals; beta Catenin - genetics; beta Catenin - metabolism; Bioinformatics; Biomedical and Life Sciences; CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein; Cell Biology; Cell Culture; Developmental Biology; Fatty acid-binding protein; Fatty acids; Gastrointestinal tract; Genes; Host plants; Life Sciences; Lipase; Lipids; Lipogenesis; Lipolysis; Mice; MicroRNAs; MicroRNAs - metabolism; miRNA; mRNA; Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors; Physiological effects; Plants - genetics; PPAR gamma - genetics; PPAR gamma - metabolism; Proteins; Stem Cells; Synthesis; Triglycerides; β-Catenin; Cross-kingdom; Exogenous; miRNA; Adipogenesis
• ISSN: 1071-2690; 1543-706X
• DOI: 10.1007/s11626-022-00702-w

Adipogenesis is important in the development of fat deposition. Evidence showed that plant microRNAs (miRNAs) could be absorbed by the digestive tract and exert regulatory effects on animals’ physiological processes. However, the regulation of plant miRNA on host lipogenesis remains unknown. This study explored the potential function of plant miRNA, miR167e-5p, in adipogenesis in vitro. The presentation of plant miR167e-5p improved lipid accumulation in 3T3-L1 cells. Bioinformatics prediction and luciferase reporter assay indicated that miR167e-5p targeted β-catenin . MiR167e-5p could not only negatively affect the expression of β-catenin but also showed a positive effect on several fat synthesis–related genes, peroxisome proliferator–activated receptor gamma ( Pparγ ), CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein α ( Cebpα ), fatty acid-binding protein 4 ( Ap 2), lipolysis genes, adipose triglyceride lipase ( Atgl ), and hormone-sensitive lipase ( Hsl ) messenger RNA levels. Meanwhile, lipid accumulation and the expression of the β-catenin and other five fat synthesis–related genes were recovered to their original pattern by adding the miR167e-5p inhibitor in 3T3-L1 cells. The immunoblot confirmed the same expression pattern in protein levels in β-catenin, PPAR-γ, FAS, and HSL. This research demonstrates that plant miR167e-5p can potentially affect adipogenesis through the regulation of β-catenin, suggesting that plant miRNAs could be a new class of bioactive ingredients in adipogenesis.